English
The comprehensive purpose of the Villa Maria Academy English program is to develop the student’s critical faculty to judge the quality of the printed page, to appreciate the human values woven into the fabric of enduring literature and to cultivate the student’s power of expression, both spoken and written, so that with ease she can communicate her ideas clearly and imaginatively.
Every student at Villa Maria Academy must take four years of English. The freshman program introduces the student to basic skills and understanding that she will need in order to pursue a college preparatory program successfully. Along with the traditional investigation of literature and other genres, study of grammar, and writing of strong sentences and paragraphs, the student learns efficient reading and study habits and library procedures. The sophomore program is a continuation of the freshman program with an emphasis on composition skills. The students will be expected to go into greater depth with the literary interpretation, study of usage and mechanics, and extensive experience in writing expository essays, particularly literary analysis essays and research papers in MLA format. The junior program examines the literature and philosophy of the American culture with an emphasis on communication skills, written and oral. Seniors study British and World literature focusing on critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and interpret literary works. Junior pre-AP and senior AP courses require the student to demonstrate her refined powers of thought and expression in at least four expository essays each semester. Every level requires a research paper and emphasizes Public speaking.
REQUIREMENTS: English 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Speech
GANNON UNIVERSITY ARTICULATION AGREEMENT: Upon matriculation at Gannon University, students can earn 3 credits (LENG 111) when they earn a B (85%) or better in the following classes: English 1 H, English 2 H or English 2 AP, English 3 H or American Literature and English 4 H or English 4 AP.
ENGLISH 1 H # 1114
ENGLISH 1 A # 1124 Grade level: 9 Credit: 1.0
Two novels are required for summer reading. Opportunities for research, speech, vocabulary, and grammar development are provided. A wide variety of writing assignments including: critical analysis of literature read, I-search, varied types of expository compositions, formulaic poetry, and journal writing is presented. The goal in the writing program during freshman year is to enable students to meet school requirements with writing, critical reading, note taking and information management for all classes at Villa Maria Academy. McDougal Littell LITERATURE and a wide variety of assigned and optional novels form the literature core. Language skills are strengthened through use of WRITERS INC and Glencoe's VOCABULARY BUILDER, Course 5. A comprehensive student writing portfolio is required.
ENGLISH 2 H # 2114 Grade level: 10 Credit: 1.0
ENGLISH 2 A # 2124
Two novels are required for summer reading. All students prepare a variety of expository and creative compositions including a required interdisciplinary research paper. Other writing includes SAT timed essays, literary analysis papers, commentary writing, and various forms of narrative and descriptive composition. A comprehensive student writing portfolio is required. Vocabulary development and oral presentations are fundamental units. McDougal Littell LITERATURE and a wide variety of novels are used, in addition to Glencoe's VOCABULARY BUILDER, Course 6.
Prerequisites for H: 85% in English 1 H or 93% in English 1 A or Department approval. Excellent critical and rhetorical awareness is expected for this level course.
ENGLISH 2 AP # 2174 Grade level:10 Credit: 1.0
This course will provide a sound background in rhetorical terminology, reading compositions on a variety of subjects and writing weekly (and sometimes daily) in the narrative, exploratory, expository, and argumentative formats. The books used are THE MC GRAW HILL READER by Gilbert Muller and AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION WORKBOOK. Students will analyze essays for purpose, expectations of the audience, tone of the piece, and the voice of the author, in addition to a myriad of other rhetorical strategies. Oral presentations are a requirement, also. Throughout the course, students will study the vocabulary needed for the SAT, and how to write for both the SAT and Advanced Placement tests. The English Language and Composition AP exam may be taken in May. The fee for this exam is approximately $90.
Prerequisite: 93% in English 1 H.
ENGLISH 3 H # 3114 Grade level:11 Credit: 1.0
ENGLISH 3 A # 3124
Two novels are required for summer reading. All students follow a chronological study of American Literature using McDougall-Littell's THE LANGUAGE OF LITERATURE: AMERICAN LITERATURE, supplemented by assigned and optional novels (including: CATCHER IN THE RYE, NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN, THE GREAT GATSBY, etc.) and other literary works. A wide variety of expository and creative writing is required, including a mandatory research paper (6-8 page for Honors and 5-7 page for Academic) based on a literary topic from American Literature. Vocabulary study is from reading and Glencoe's VOCABULARY BUILDER, Course 7. A comprehensive student writing portfolio is required.
Prerequisites for H: 85% English 2 H or 93% in English 2 A or Department approval.
ENGLISH 3 PreAP # 3134 Grade level:11 Credit: 1.0
This course is designed to explore American culture from the earliest colonizing efforts through 2000 and examines the literature and philosophy, which have contributed to American popular culture. Specifically, the aim is to help students understand the development of American culture and to view literature as the expression of concepts and values that have formed the national character. With an emphasis on communication skills, written and oral, the course, in a general sense, helps students hone their skills and begin to prepare for the English Literature AP exam to be taken at the end of the senior year. Students in this course will receive AP quality points and will be required to move onto ENGLISH 4 AP. Students who do not take English 4 AP, will receive Honors quality points. This class requires high interest and ability due to the level of reading, writing and discussion required. Students will be using The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Volumes 1 and 2 and novels and dramas such as: The Scarlet Letter, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, The Awakening, Walden, Death of a Salesman and many more. Excellent critical and rhetorical awareness is expected for this level course. Requirements of course: three novels for summer reading, completion of an 8-10 page literary research paper and a comprehensive student writing portfolio.
Prerequisite: 85% in English 2 AP or 93% in English 2 H and teacher recommendation.
ENGLISH 4 H # 4114
ENGLISH 4 A # 4124 Grade level: 12 Credit: 1.0
Two novels are required for summer reading. All students follow a chronological study of British and World Literature using McDougal Littell THE LANGUAGE OF LITERATURE, BRITISH LITERATURE supplemented by assigned and optional novels and other literary works. A wide variety of expository and creative writing is required, including a mandatory 6-8 page research paper based on a topic from world literature. Vocabulary study and oral presentations are also fundamental components of this program Completion of a comprehensive student writing portfolio is required for Honors level.
Prerequisites for H: 85% in English 3 H or 93% in English 3 A or Department approval. Excellent critical and rhetorical awareness is expected for this level course.
ENGLISH 4 AP #4174 Grade level: 12 Credit: 1.0
Students are required to read and respond to three works for summer reading including: NIGHT, THEIR EYES ARE WATCHING GOD, and student choice from a prepared list. This course provides the student with the critical ability to analyze literary works, to explicate them, and finally to evaluate their literary merit. Using a chronological/genre approach, the course demands extensive reading of British and World Literature. Students will be expected to prepare numerous critical and creative projects, including required AP level timed essays on a weekly basis, demonstrating an ability to express ideas clearly and coherently. Robert Di Yanni's LITERATURE: APPROACHES TO FICTION, POETRY & DRAMA, NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF BRITISH LITERATURE, Perrine's INTRODUCTION TO POETRY, AP LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION WORKBOOK and a variety of novels and dramas, including: FRANKENSTEIN, WUTHERING HIEGHTS, TESS OF THE D'URBEVILLES, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, OEDIPUS REX, OTHELLO, KING LEAR, HAMLET, A DOLL'S HOUSE, HEART OF DARKNESS, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, etc. provide the basis for an in-depth study of literature requiring intellectual curiosity and a willingness to pursue English on a mature level. A comprehensive student writing portfolio is required. The English Literature AP exam may be taken in May. The fee for this exam is approximately $90.
Prerequisite: 93% in English 3 H or 85% in English 3 PreAP or Department approval.
SPEECH # 4132 Grade levels:11-12 Credit: 0.50
Speech is a mandatory course which provides students with numerous opportunities in various speaking situations, such as: argumentative, persuasive, introductory, demonstrative, informative, commercial, comedic, impromptu and improv, to mention a few. Students will become more comfortable in formal and informal speaking situations. Students who have participated in and attended Forensics competitions for 2 years will be exempt from this course. Students who have taken Leadership 1 and Leadership 2 or have participated in Forensics for 2 years may be exempt from this class.
CREATIVE WRITING &
LITERARY MAGAZINE # 5152 Grade levels:9-12 Credit: 0.50
In workshop and seminar sessions, you will be encouraged to stretch your creative talents by daily writing and evaluating poetry, memoirs, profiles, short stories, etc... You will read and write various genres from poetry to a one-act play. All students are expected to share their writing with the class, which includes peer editing, evaluation and conferencing. Students are expected to submit to Literary Magazine. This course may be taken for Academic or Honors credit. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.
JOURNALISM & YEARBOOK # 5234 Grade levels:10-12 Credit: 1.0
Students taking this course will be responsible for the publications of the Villa Maria Academy Yearbook ESCHATON and the Villa newspaper THE VOICE. Students will learn and apply photojournalistic and journalistic skills as they help produce both publications. THE VOICE will be produced five times a year. Students scheduling this course should have mastered basic writing skills, have an eye for design or a photographic experience and a commitment to meet deadlines. Time in school and after school may be required for students. Students will also have to sell Yearbook ads to offset the cost of the book. Students may take this course more than once. Class size is limited.
Prerequisites: Teacher Approval and C average in English
LEADERSHIP 1 # 5112 Grade levels:10-12 Credit: 0.50
Leadership 1 assists students in developing a personal philosophy of leadership. It provides a basic understanding of leadership concepts, theories and group dynamics and offers realistic opportunities in which to implement the skills acquired through study, discussion and observation. It is active, "hands-on, minds-on" experiential learning in areas such as: Leadership styles, motivation, meeting skills, communication and many more. Projects involve participation in daily activities, a research paper of 3-5 pages (Honors), and a communication project. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class. Depending on the enrollment, 2 classes may be offered, one for underclassmen (Grade 10) and one for upperclassmen (Grades 11 & 12). Primary text is Sean Covey's THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEENS & LEADERSHIP.
LEADERSHIP 2 H #6152 Grade levels:10-12 Credit: 0.5
This course builds on existing skills with units on Group Dynamics, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Ethics and Principles, Pluralism, and Evaluation. The final project will be to prepare and execute a seminar for incoming freshmen to acclimate them to VMA (high school life) for successful transition and optimum achievement. Excessive absenteeism is unacceptable. Primary text is Paul Bernabei, et.al. TOP 20 TEENS and supplementary PASC, NASC, & NASSP activities.
Prerequisite: 85% in Leadership 1 or Department approval
MINORITY LITERATURE #6172 Grade levels:10-12 Credit: 0.5
This course is offered every other year. It will be offered in 2012-13
The focus of this class is to study literary works and the social/historical context of American groups who remain marginalized in dominant American cultures. You will study various genres of literature - short story, novel, poetry, personal essay, speech, memoir, autobiography, commentary and some drama. You will read, write and discuss literary works by a number of American minorities - African-American, Mexican-American, Native American, etc.. In addition to studying racial minorities, this class will briefly touch on other minorities - homosexuals, the physically challenged, women writers, and religious minorities. Daily reading assignments and writing will be required in addition to preparing for individual and group presentations. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.
SAT I ACT PREP # 5422 Grade levels:10-12 Credit: 0.50
This pass/fail course helps students prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT. The course will be divided into three sections: verbal and writing skills, math skills and science skills. The verbal/writing section familiarizes students with the various aspects of the verbal and writing sections of the SAT and ACT tests. The topics covered are: sentence completion, reading comprehension, paragraph organization, identifying sentence errors, vocabulary and timed-writing responses. The math portion of the course includes practice with gridding student-produced responses, numbers, operations, algebra, functions, geometry, measurements, data analysis, statistics, and probability. The science portion of the course will include topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and the Earth/space sciences (geology, astronomy and meteorology). Students will practice skills such as graph reading, interpretation of scatterplots, interpretation of information presented in tables, interpretation of experimental results, and analysis and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses. This course helps prepare students by teaching them strategies for standardized test taking. Although this class cannot cover all topics as thoroughly as necessary, this class will provide specialized study skills, teacher and student feedback, and daily practice. Students will be required to purchase workbooks for use in this course. This course will be taught in the Fall semester.
Prerequisite: Algebra 2, or Geometry with concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2